Friday, October 30, 2015

We need your help!Our Virginia state Delegate, Gordon Helsel, has not yet committed to supporting the only constitutional solution to an out-of-control federal government—the Article V Convention of States.

We need Delegate Helsel to vote YES for our Article V resolution when the General Assembly convenes in January.We are working hard across the state to ensure we have the votes to pass our Article V resolution.We need to reach out now to Delegates who are still uncommitted and urge them to vote YES!

Please call Delegate Helsel's district office today at 757-969-9036.Tell the staff that you are a supporter of Convention of the States, and you want your Delegate to vote for Delegate Scott Lingamfelter's Convention of the States resolution in 2016.

If you prefer to send an email, that will also be helpful. Delegate Helsel's email address is DelGHelsel@house.virginia.gov. Craft your own email message or use the model message below.

Please act today—the timing is important, because we want our Delegate to receive a concentrated outpouring from Convention of States supporters this week.

Please let me know what response you receive from Delegate Helsel.

Thank you for taking 5 minutes today to take your stand against federal overreach and defend our individual liberties.

Sincerely,

David Dietrich

District Captain VA 91

Convention of States

Model email message to your Legislator:

Dear Delegate Helsel,

As your constituent, I am writing to ask you to support Delegate Scott Lingamfelter's Convention of States resolution during the 2016 General Assembly.

Our federal government has become way too big and way too powerful. Article V of the United States Constitution gives the state legislatures the power to bypass Congress and rein in the federal government. I urge you to vote for Delegate Lingamfelter's Convention of States resolution.We want Virginia to be one of the 34 states that trigger a convention for the limited purpose of proposing amendments that restrain federal power and restore states' rights and individual liberties.

Please use the power our Founding Fathers gave you to rein in the out-of-control federal government.

I've traveled throughout Virginia several times in the last two years and have met many people who are hurting. In most cases they are eager for a glimpse of hope and desperately seek a path to improve their situation. Concurrently, there are people working to create a sound business environment and improve our education system to give these citizens the skills for a successful career. Mason's votes are working against these efforts. So, if he's not helping with jobs and education, what is he doing to make life better in the meantime?

Issue: Medicaid Reform – Virginia's Medicaid expenditures have grown 1600% in the last 30 years and now consume more than 20% of our state's budget, exceeding $8 billion annually. As you know, there is a push by some, including Mason, to loosen eligibility rules under Obamacare that would add another 464,000 participants according to a UVA study, an increase of over 35%. With nothing prohibiting the federal government from passing along a large percentage of the cost to states however, most are hesitant to expand a program that even Gov. McAuliffe says would be rescinded if funding levels changed. Instead, Republicans are seeking alternative measures, but at the very least want to improve the efficiency of the current system before adding to it. There is clearly room for improvement. In one instance, a 2012 JLARC study found that DSS caseworkers had been enrolling ineligible recipients, costing as much as $263 million in 2010 alone. Imagine what could be found with a comprehensive audit of an $8 billion program.

In 2014, HJ40 was introduced to commission a comprehensive audit of Virginia's Medicaid program to identify and suggest fixes to address inefficiencies and fraud. No one doubts that even a modest improvement in efficiency would allow some expansion under the current rules. But, that didn't stop Mason from voting 'NO'. This extreme 'all or nothing' argument is prohibiting any chance of covering more people.

Issue: Prison Reform – Everyone knows that America's prisons are overcrowded. Virginia is no exception and it's important that we evaluate other methods for reform of certain non-violent offenders. This not only reduces cost to taxpayers, but by keeping the perpetrator of a non-violent lesser offense out of prison, they are less likely to fall even further into a life of crime. In 2014 Mason introduced HB 619, a bill to require prison for computer fraud if the victim was 65 or older. I believe his intention was good and with some adjustment it would have garnered support. However, as written this bill 'mandated' a minimum 2-year prison sentence for the first time offense of a $200 crime even in instances where a senior was not specifically targeted. Accordingly, it failed to pass the very committee he sat on. A simple amendment could have changed its outcome but he rejected that idea. Not to be deterred he reintroduced the bill in 2015, except rather than amending faults he expanded its reach to include a broader subset of perpetrators. It failed to even make it out of his own subcommittee. If you're curious why Mason was unable to pass a single bill in his two years, perhaps this sheds some light.

Issue: Neighborhood Assistance Programs – Everyone's aware that businesses and individuals who make charitable contributions qualify for a tax deduction. Most deductions are valued at whatever the income tax rate is for the contributor. Some giving however, qualifies for expanded tax credits. In Virginia, Neighborhood Assistance Programs (NAP), prequalified 501(c)(3) organizations that specifically benefit low-income individuals, allow expanded deductions. Among these are Habitat for Humanity, Grove Christian Outreach, Big Brothers-Big Sisters, Avalon, Natasha House, and nearly 300 other organizations. NAP organizations can offer a tax credit up to 65% of the value of the gift but are limited to a specific total of credit allowed. Thus, current law allows organizations to offer a lower value if they wish to spread credits over a larger number of contributors. This works well for organizations that have a waiting list of donors. The less fortunate but just as worthy organizations however, don't have that luxury and utilize the full 65% that is available to them. In 2014, Mason introduced HB620 to "decrease the value of donations" to all Neighborhood Assistance Programs. Such a law would make it harder for many organizations to raise money. Understandably, legislators did not want anything to do with a bill that would take money away from charities in such desperate times. Accordingly, Mason was unable to persuade a single member of the House from either party to co-patron this bill, nor did get a vote. But that didn't stop him from reintroducing the bill in 2015, again garnering no co-patrons and no passage. By now, Mason's failure rate is probably starting to make sense.

Issue: Tax Deductible Scholarships - In Tuesday's letter I shared Mason's votes on education, noting where he had fought the rescue of failing schools as well as every attempt to provide an alternative for the affected students. Effectively, his actions force students to stay in failing schools unless they have the means to afford a private alternative. Few have that option. Fortunately, Delegate Jimmie Massie's Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credit provided some help. This program allows businesses and individuals to deduct 65% of their contribution to a scholarship program designated for low income families. Although the average scholarship is only $2,413.00 it can offset some of the cost for these students to attend better schools. The law was passed before Mason was elected but that hasn't prevented him from arguing against this program, claiming that by allowing businesses and individuals to take a tax deduction, they were effectively taking money from public schools, another VEA (Teacher's Union) position. His position smells of hypocrisy however, as Mason had no problem taking tax credits of his own after giving thousands of dollars over multiple years to Prince Edward Academy (renamed Fuqua School). Again, you can call him to confirm the issues on this and the preceding documents (757) 229-9310.

Tonight's Debate

Folks, Monty Mason and challenger, Lara Overy will participate in a debate at the Williamsburg Library tonight at 7:00. These candidates are asking to represent you in the House of Delegates for the next two years. I urge you to go (early), listen, and ask questions. This district needs a delegate that will represent our values. I hope you have found this information helpful.

Urman for Delegate is proud to announce the endorsement of Republican Caucus Chair Tim Hugo!

Delegate Tim Hugo, the Republican Caucus Chairman in Virginia's House of Delegates, representing the 40th District, offered his endorsement of Anna Urman, candidate for the 43rd District.

"Anna Urman has the kind of business-oriented background and conservative, free-market ideals we need more of in Richmond. It's time to restore real leadership to the 43rd District." said Delegate Hugo. "We need all the reinforcements from northern Virginia we can get in our caucus, and I know Anna will be a leader in helping make sure Fairfax gets it fair share of taxpayer dollars back from Richmond. I look forward to working together with her to address the very real challenges we face in Fairfax on transportation, education, jobs, and personal liberty issues."

Anna and her team are working hard here in the homestretch of this race, with only 5 days until Election Day!

Help Anna join House Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo, and the rest of House leadership, in standing AGAINST Terry McAuliffe and his ridiculous plan for I-66 tolls! McAuliffe can count on the support of the incumbent. Let's send him home!

There are plenty of opportunities to help her, starting tonight with a phone bank at 7:00 PM at the Joe Murray for State Senate HQ, 8136 Old Keene Mill Road (The Cary Professional Building), Suite A-209, West Springfield VA or, if you'd like to volunteer your time any time before or on Election Day, email our Field Director Chris Farmer at chris.rednova8@gmail.com and he'll happily accommodate you.